East Sussex legal executive goes to prison for fraud

An East Sussex woman is today, Friday 27 January, starting a prison sentence for stealing nearly half a million pounds at the Hove solicitors firm for which she worked.

 

Leanne Harris, 25, of Gildridge, in Whitesmith, was sentenced to four years and nine months imprisonment at Hove Crown Court. having previously pleaded guilty to five offences of fraud at Arscotts Solicitors of Lansdowne Place, Hove, whilst she worked as a legal executive for the firm between 2008 and 2010, and to  a sixth offence of fraud on another account to which she had access.  

 

Harris stole £419,000 from five separate clients through an office client account to which she had access.  She also committed the sixth offence of fraud, which involved £64,000, from an elderly lady for whom she had power of attorney.

 

The sentencing follows an investigation by the Major Fraud Unit of Sussex Police.

 

Detective Constable Valerie Henwood said; "Harris caused considerable grief to many people by her selfish and dishonest actions. She contributed to the closure of long standing family firm with a loss of 30 jobs, caused great upset to the families who owned the client funds, stripped a 90-year old lady of all her life savings leaving her without money to pay for her care, and just used the money to live a lifestyle beyond her means."